Handyman License Requirements in Yakima, WA
Yakima license required for businesses located in or doing business in city limits; $45 (1-2 FTE); $0 for no-employee sole props < $12,000 and nonresidents with <= $12,000 Yakima gross. No Yakima County general business license.
Yakima requirements
Yakima license required for businesses located in or doing business in city limits; $45 (1-2 FTE); $0 for no-employee sole props < $12,000 and nonresidents with <= $12,000 Yakima gross. No Yakima County general business license.
Source link: dor.wa.gov · dor.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: City of Yakima business license (DOR BLS city endorsement)
- Office: City of Yakima, 129 N 2nd St 2nd Fl, 509-575-6126, via WA DOR BLS
- Fee: $45 for 1-2 FTE, +$15/FTE above; $0 for sole proprietors with no employees and < $12,000 gross; nonresident $0 if Yakima gross <= $12,000
"The city of Yakima requires a license for all businesses located within city limits, or conducting business within city limits."
Source: dor.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
None found on official sources
Source link: dor.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026
County: Yakima County
The Washington rule
Regulator: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration; L&I Electrical Program (RCW 19.28) and Plumbing Certification (RCW 18.106)
RCW 18.27.090(9): exempt is work on one undertaking/project 'the aggregate contract price of which for labor and materials and all other items is less than five hundred dollars' - i.e., UNDER $500 (not 'at or below'). The exemption is lost if the work is part of a larger operation, if a job is split into sub-$500 contracts to evade, or if the person advertises or puts out any sign/card indicating to the public that he or she is a contractor.
What counts toward it: labor+materials
"Any work or operation on one undertaking or project by one or more contracts, the aggregate contract price of which for labor and materials and all other items is less than five hundred dollars, such work or operations being considered as of a casual, minor, or inconsequential nature."
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026
State registration
Registration with L&I required for all contractors not exempt: register business with Dept. of Revenue (UBI), surety bond or assignment of savings ($30,000 general contractor / $15,000 specialty contractor, raised July 1, 2024), general liability insurance, notarized Application for Contractor Registration (F625-001-000), application/renewal fee $150.20. No minimum dollar threshold for registration other than the under-$500 casual/minor exemption.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Insurance and bond
Surety bond $30,000 (general) / $15,000 (specialty) per RCW 18.27.040(1); general liability insurance $200,000 public liability + $50,000 property damage, or $250,000 combined single limit (L&I), with L&I listed as certificate holder.
Source: app.leg.wa.gov · lni.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Forming an LLC in Washington
State filing fee: $180.
Source: sos.wa.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What to do, in order
- Read the Washington rule and confirm with Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) - Contractor Registration; L&I Electrical Program (RCW 19.28) and Plumbing Certification (RCW 18.106).
- Line up the Yakima items listed on this page.
- Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.
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